UEL PhD researcher wins poster prize at British Psychology Conference

Dung Jidong praised for his work on cultural beliefs around mental health in Nigeria

By Lee Pinkerton

A University of East London (UEL) Psychology PhD candidate has won a prestigious prize at the annual conference of the British Psychological Society (BPS) in Brighton.

Dung Jidong (pictured with BPS Vice-President Professor Jamie Hacker Hughes) won the `Best Poster Presentation’ for his poster highlighting the results of his qualitative research into cultural beliefs mental health among members of the Yoruba community in Nigeria.

Professor Martin Seligman, former president of the American Psychology Association and known as the father of Positive Psychology, made a point of congratulating Dung at the conference.

Dung, who originates from Nigerian himself, said, “I had an amazing experience at the 2017 BPS annual conference in Brighton. As well as winning the prize I also had useful interaction during the conference and delegates’ feedback for my poster presentation enhanced my research thinking.

“The student stream was also incredibly helpful in understanding the roles associated with early career research.

“In addition, I was privileged to network with highly placed psychologists such as Martin Seligman, with the hope of future research collaboration on how to harness and contextualise the elements of positive psychology and wellbeing in Nigeria and Africa.”

“In essence, my participation in the 2017 Annual Conference was really inspiring and I am looking forward to attending the 2018 event in Nottingham.